The great wall of Georgia just got stronger.

Cortez Smith, the nation’s No. 6 interior offensive lineman, committed to the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. He chose Georgia over Miami, South Carolina and Georgia Tech and is the 21st commitment of the Bulldogs’ third-ranked 2025 class.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Smith had a plethora of teams interested in his services. He said the way the Bulldogs take care of one another made them stand alone.

“They make sure every individual is treated the same,” Smith said. “And make sure everybody is given the same opportunity to be great.”

Smith displays the mentality that is rare to see in young athletes today. Teams would likely have paid a large sum for his commitment, but the 16-year-old was not interested in NIL.

“It is great and all, and I guess I would of course love it,” Smith told Jeff Sentell of DawgNation. “It is money and all. But I guess I just feel like personally that a kid this age shouldn’t have this much money handed to them. Like I haven’t even [gotten] to campus yet. I haven’t done [anything] yet.”

Smith projects as a collegiate center or interior offensive lineman. His strength makes him a formidable opponent for pass rushers, and he possesses solid movement and speed for his frame. Smith is also accountable, which is vital for a position such as center.

“I think the biggest thing is consistency,” Parkview head coach Joey Sturdivant told Dawgs247. “He’s always there. He hasn’t missed a single workout or practice or anything to do with our football team since I’ve been here. That tells you a lot about a kid that’s willing to sacrifice for his teammates to be there.”

Smith is not just a one-sport athlete, as he also competes in track and field. As a junior, he won the Georgia 7A shot put state championship and finished second in the discus. The Georgia-native has one final high school season before suiting up in the red and black next fall.